Sept. 15, 2008

University Park, Pa. - Former Ohio State gymnastics standout Randy Monahan has been named as an assistant coach for the Penn State women's gymnastics team, head coach Steve Shephard has announced. His duties will include recruiting as well as training.

"We are very pleased that Randy has decided to join our coaching staff," said Shephard. "He brings a youthful energy and new ideas to our gym. Randy was a world-class gymnast at Ohio State and is very knowledgeable about high-level gymnastics. We all look forward to having his talents and winning attitude as part of our staff."

Monahan was a member of the Ohio State men's team from 2001 to 2005 and was a seven-time All-American with the Buckeyes, who captured the Big Ten title in 2002 and 2005. He was the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and also captured the Big Ten All-Around title in 2003 and 2004 and was a Nissen-Emery Finalist in 2005, finishing second in the all-around at the NCAA Championships that same year.

Monahan comes to Penn State from the club coaching ranks, most recently with Artistic Sports Academy Plus out of Harrisburg, Pa., where he assisted the head coach in instruction and analysis of youth athletes as well as various coaching and instructional responsibilities. He was also employed by EJM Food Corporation as a Quality Control Specialist.

Prior to his time in the Harrisburg area, Monahan was a coach at Buckeye Gymnastics where he worked with a vide varieties of athletes from levels 4-10. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach with the Ohio State men's team where he assisted in instructional and managerial capacities as well as having training and competitive responsibilities.

Monahan graduated from Ohio State in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in human ecology.

For more information on the Penn State women's gymnastics team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.